I thank NetGalley and Lume Books for an advance reader copy of “The Versailles Formula.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Genevieve Planché and her husband Thomas Sturbridge are once again caught up in a diabolical tale concerning “that” supposedly destroyed method of developing a beautiful blue paint in “The Versailles Formula." The whole story (it would help if you’ve read the previous books, but author Nancy Bilyeau has the knack of providing enough information in this one to give you the gist) is a clash of governmental proportions, and this one is a continuation, as spymaster Sir Humphrey sets Genevieve on a path of “King and Country.” So, when you have a wife that must lie to her husband, assume another woman’s identity, do a whole lot of spying in Paris, and to top it all off, do all this in company with another (very attractive) man not her husband, well, you may have a recipe for disaster.

Genevieve and Captain Howard, her comrade in arms, as it were, turn out to be very good at what they do, and get the information they’ve come for (“tensions will ease,” as we’re told), not without personal danger, of course; no good spy thriller is complete without it. But that’s not the end of it for Genevieve. What does happen in “The Versailles Formula” is an awakening in her that perhaps a quiet life in the country is not everything she wants and wishes for. Above all, she has to explain to Thomas how their life is changing -- in some very interesting ways -- but she’ll probably keep quiet about a LOT of other things. Will she return to her husband and son and be content? The author has given us a heroine with an intriguing story and much left to tell readers.

As a fan of 18th century complex intrigues and regular visitor of baroque locations in France, I was on the edge about the Versailles formula. Would the plot make sense ? How about the possible faux pas about the period ? How the characters would be described ? Well, I'm over the moon. It is the first time reading a historical novel about this period that I'm carried away in such a fashion by the context, the story, the numerous characters, the atmosphere. The pace of the adventures of the characters is perfectly orchestrated, and I cannot wait to buy and read all the books from Nancy Bilyeau. I just cannot wait for the 4th book about Genevieve Planché. Also, the series is a perfect gift to anyone interested in European arts and crafts.

Genevieve Sturbridge has left the dangers of London for a quiet life in the countryside with her husband and young son. But when she is invited to a dinner party at Sir Horace Walpole’s magnificent Gothic estate, she is drawn into a terrifying web of deception, espionage and murder.

At the mysterious dinner party Genevieve makes a shocking discovery — a secret pigment of the deepest, purest blue is being produced once more. The formula is so rare, it’s the obsession of chemists, royalty, and spies.

Some will kill to possess it. Others will kill to keep it buried.

Only Genevieve can recognise the formula and stop it falling into the wrong hands. But when a ghost from her past resurfaces, Genevieve must determine who she can trust. Years ago, this secret nearly cost her and her husband their lives. Now, someone is willing to kill for it once more.

Genevieve must discover the truth before time runs out, because this time the price of failure will cost more than just her own life.

Review to come …

Wow! What a wonderful glimpse into 1700’s France and England. Genevieve is such a perfect heroine and the story flowed effortlessly. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheVersaillesFormula!

This is the third book in the Genevieve Planche series and the fun and excitement continues.
Genevieve and her husband Thomas left Paris and now live in England. Thomas is still a chemist and is engaged in the study of electricity. Genevieve is bored, she misses her artist studio in Spitalfields, and her secret life as a spy in France.
When Sir Humphrey Willoughby, master spy catcher of England, asks for her help she is delighted to feel useful again.
Sir Horace Wimpole has acquired a painting by Fragonard, a portrait of an Angel, but a ghost apparently visits it at night, running footsteps have been heard along the corridor, and the figure of a young man in a white robe and golden hair has been seen near the painting, but then vanishes.
Why that painting? Genevieve knows her art and believes the painting to be a forgery, Fragonard didn’t paint Angels. Is there a hidden message within?
Much to her delight and the consternation of Thomas , she is tasked with returning to France with Captain Peregrine Howard as escort. She will use the alias of Lady Jane Howard, and try to find out who sold the painting to Walpole and what, if any, message is hidden there. Could it be connected to The Blue colour that Thomas developed in France eight years ago? The colour that led to murders, kidnapping and treason? The Blue that nearly started a war between France and England? She must find the answers without giving away her identity as a spy and her forbidden religion as a Huguenot.
This is an exciting romp through Paris, and there is a hint of a romance between Genevieve and Captain Howard, how will that play out?
The story is full of historical characters, details, tension and a real fear of being exposed and suffering harm if discovered. A meeting with an old acquaintance, long feared dead, brings both a surprise and an obligation to Genevieve.
A wonderful read, worthy of my five star rating.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Joffe Books for my advanced copy, freely given in return for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication. I am recommending this to my local library and reading group for next years list.

The Versailles Formula is a classic tale of mystery and intrigue. Very gothic atmosphere. Lots of castles, cemeteries, grand ballrooms, sinister prisons, and cloistered convents. Historical figures mixed with the fictional.

The story started out well but as I reached Part 2, I wondered when art and pigments would enter the plot. Almost simultaneously with my thoughts, Genevieve is asked to return to France to investigate who is using the forbidden blue color that her husband created. While there, Genevieve will do a little spying for her country.

I was disappointed with the book. It is advertised as a historical thriller but it isn't a thriller. I would categorize it as a historical mystery; a good one. A big part of my disappointment was the extremely high expectations that I held. Each of the author’s earlier eight novels were spectacular. Another blockbuster was expected. That said, it is a fairly good mystery. I would not want this installment of the series to be the end though. I believe that the series is only three books and, if so, The Versailles Formula is not the best ending. Another problem I have is that the story wasn't about the chemical formula for blue but rather the possibility that it is being misused. It took alot of pages before the identity of this mystery was given.

Approximately one third of the book gave background information from the first two books. It was done well with equal amounts of dialogue and narrative but unless you've read those books, the level of drama from the backstory is missing. Also, Genevieve's career as an artist is not part of the plot. That's a departure from the earlier two books in the series.

Enough with the negatives. What is positive about the book? Genevieve and Captain Howard's mission in France was fraught with plenty of twists and I was often afraid for both of them. It didn't appear that they would succeed in their quest to determine who was using the forbidden blue color. Almost daily they were accosted by enemies of England but the two were not always aware of the identity of these enemies. Part of the mission was to figure out who was who. If they could return to England with the name of the forger of blue then they were successful. Along the way these two met interesting Frenchmen who added "color" to the story. Pun intended.

The book reads like a historical spy story. However, my impression of the series was something else. If this was a standalone novel I would rate it highly. It is part of a series, though, so I can only rate it based upon this fact. Please note that I received an advanced review copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Not only this novel is very entertaining, it is also very interesting. The topic evolves about art, particularly painting and above all the colour blue. I enjoyed this part very much. What I did not really like is the touch of romance which I found too predictable in its development. Otherwise, I loved the story. This book is the third one in the series, but can be read as a standalone as well. The previous two books were excellent. I would recommend to read them as well. I have read all novels written by the author which I have tremendously enjoyed.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

This is an intriguing novel set in the 1760s which combines people in history with fictional characters. An enjoyable read.

I found this book confusing and frankly troubling, with its gaslighting and misogynist microaggressions. It’s the third book in the series, and maybe I wouldn’t have been so lost if I had read the books in order. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Another wonderful historical mystery! I could not put it down! Ms. Bilyeau's novels keep the suspense and imagination going from the beginning to the end!

The Versailles Formula starts with an eerie, haunting image: a ghost patters down a long, dark hallway night after night, past a suit of armor, trying in vain to seize its prize at the end, the portrait of an angel--but always vanishing before he wins his goal. Genevieve Sturbridge nee Planche is back. And solving this mystery will only lead to more mysteries, a trail of bodies, and desperate danger.

Genevieve, of course, is the Huguenot heroine with French heritage and British loyalties, with one foot in the art world and the other mired in espionage. In this third book in the series she's teamed with an army captain almost as stubborn and resourceful as she is. Sparks fly.

They're agents in the secret battle between England and France that threatens every day to break out into open warfare that could bring both countries down. The fates of two nations hinge once again on the machinations behind a mysterious shade of blue.

The atmosphere is delightful.The action takes place in England and France, castles and cemeteries and chateaux, grand ballrooms, sinister prisons, and cloistered convents. Historical figures flit through, from Horace Walpole, the father of the Gothic novel, to the Marquis de Sade, who lived one.

The Versailles Formula is Bilyeau at her best, a classic tale of mystery and intrigue that only lacks a cameo from a dueling D'Artagnan to make my life complete. If you've read the firsr two books in the series, this is one you've been eagerly awaiting. If you haven't, this is a hellacious introduction.

The Versailles Formula will be published April 17.